Device and method for processing a strand of cushioning material, and cushioning material coil

This patent application is a U.S. National Stage Application of PCT/EP2020/087502, filed Dec. 21, 2020, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102019135610.5, filed Dec. 20, 2019, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The disclosure relates to a device and a method for processing a strand of dunnage material. In this context, processing is to be understood in particular as the processing of the strand of dunnage material into a coil of dunnage material. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a coil of dunnage material. A coil of dunnage material comprises a wound dunnage material strand and an adhesive tape applied to an outer end layer of the dunnage material strand and extending in the longitudinal direction of the dunnage material strand, for securing the outer end layer to the coil of dunnage material. Dunnage material strand shall, in particular, be understood to mean a three-dimensional paper dunnage product made in a dunnage forming machine from a web-shaped starting material, in particular a roll or a leporello stack, for example of paper.

Devices for processing strands of dunnage material into coils of dunnage material are known, for example, from EP 3 159 291 B1. Therein, the device comprises a dunnage forming machine for forming a web-shaped starting material into a dunnage material strand and a winding device for winding the dunnage material strand around a winding center. For this purpose, the winding device comprises two tines extending in the horizontal direction between which the strand of dunnage material is conveyed and which rotate about a horizontal axis to wind the strand of dunnage material around the winding center. Furthermore, an adhesive tape dispensing device is provided for bonding the outer end layer of the strand of dunnage material to the coil of dunnage material. For this purpose, a device for applying the adhesive tape to the upholstery material strand is arranged between the winding device and the upholstery forming machine. For this purpose, an adhesive tape end is unwound from the adhesive tape roll and deposited on a counter plate of the application device extending in the horizontal direction, the adhesive tape surface being directed in the vertical direction with respect to the upholstery material strand, which is conveyed at a vertical distance over the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape end.

Before the outer end layer of the dunnage material strand is wound around the winding center, the winding process is paused, the dunnage material strand is cut, the downstream end of the dunnage material strand is pressed against the adhesive tape end by a vertical lifting device, and the winding process is then continued so that the end of the dunnage material strand is also wound around the winding center. At the same time, the winding process is continued by a certain rotational movement in order to adhere the dunnage material strand end to the coil of dunnage material. Finally, the winding process is interrupted again, the adhesive tape is cut at the horizontal counter plate by vertical displacement of a separating device, and the downstream end of the adhesive tape is wound around the winding center by continuing the winding process again. To ensure that the downstream end of the adhesive tape is also pressed against the pad material winding, a spring plate extending in the horizontal direction is provided downstream of the counter plate to support the adhesive tape on its way between the counter plate and the winding device and press it against the winding device. After the second end is also attached to the coil of dunnage material, a vertically extending ejector plate is moved along the winding axis of the winding device to strip the coil of dunnage material from the tines of the winding device.

A disadvantage of the known device is the complexity of the same, which is associated with the large number of drives used and which leads to increased manufacturing and maintenance costs. Another disadvantage is that the processing speed is increased by stopping the winding operation to press the adhesive tape against the strand of dunnage material and to strip the adhesive tape. Stripping the coil of dunnage material also limits the processing speed. Furthermore, in the known device, the adhesive tape requirement can only be adjusted to a limited extent as a function of the size of the coil of dunnage material, since, for example, the distance between the counter plate for applying the adhesive tape and the winding device always causes an adhesive tape overrun, regardless of the size of the coil of dunnage material. In addition, the rotating tines of the known winding device have been found to pose a considerable risk of injury to persons operating the device.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements, features and components that are identical, functionally identical and have the same effect are—insofar as is not stated otherwise—respectively provided with the same reference character.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments, including structures, systems, and methods, may be practiced without these specific details. The description and representation herein are the common means used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring embodiments of the disclosure. The connections shown in the figures between functional units or other elements can also be implemented as indirect connections, wherein a connection can be wireless or wired. Functional units can be implemented as hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

An object of the disclosure is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to provide a device and a method for processing a strand of dunnage material, in particular to form a coil of dunnage material, wherein the processing time and preferably the adhesive tape requirement are to be reduced and/or the development and maintenance effort for the device is to be reduced. Furthermore, another object of the present disclosure is to provide a coil of dunnage material which includes a reduced adhesive tape requirement with the same or increased dimensional stability.

The first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for processing a strand of dunnage material, in particular to a coil of dunnage material, made by a dunnage forming machine from a web-shaped starting material, in particular a roll or a leporello stack, for example of paper.

The dunnage material strand is made in particular from recycled paper. Recycled paper in particular refers to paper materials with a low proportion (less than 50%) of fresh fiber-containing paper material. In particular, paper materials containing 70% to 100% recycled paper are preferred. The recycled paper in the sense of the present disclosure is intended to be paper material that can have a tensile strength index along the machine direction of at most 90 Nm/g, preferably a tensile strength of 15 Nm/g to 60 Nm/g, and a tensile strength index across the machine direction of at most 60 Nm/g, preferably a tensile strength of 5 Nm/g to 40 Nm/g. A DIN EN ISO 1924-2 or DIN EN ISO 1924-3 standard can be used to determine the tensile strength or tensile strength index. In addition, or alternatively, a recycled paper property or recovered paper property can be characterized by the so-called bursting resistance. A material in this sense is recycled paper with a burst index of at most 3.0 kPa*m{circumflex over ( )}2/g, preferably with a burst index of 0.8 kPa*m{circumflex over ( )}2/g to 2.5 kPa*m{circumflex over ( )}2/g. The DIN EN ISO 2758 standard is used to determine the bursting index. Furthermore, the packaging material includes a basis weight of, in particular, 40 g/m{circumflex over ( )}2 to max. 140 g/m{circumflex over ( )}2. According to the disclosure, the starting packaging material can be in the form of a material web roll or a zigzag-folded packaging material stack, which is also referred to as a fanfold stack.

The strand of dunnage material is produced in particular in such a way that an embossed deformation zone, in particular a wavy one, is formed centrally along the strand of dunnage material by the dunnage forming machine and is bounded laterally by two, in particular essentially uniform, bead ends. A dunnage forming machine for producing dunnage material strands from a web-shaped starting material is shown in EP 3159291 B1. In addition, a large number of cushion-forming machines are described in the prior art, which is why the specific design of these will not be discussed further below.

Processing the strand of dunnage material means in particular processing it to form a coil of dunnage material. In this context, a coil of dunnage material can on the one hand be a packaging material means, such as a dunnage material spiral or a dunnage material helix, but on the other hand also form a casing of an object to be cushioned. Here, for example, the processing may involve wrapping the strand of dunnage material around an article to be cushioned. In this regard, the resulting coil of dunnage material may, for example, extend spirally around the article to be cushioned, with the dunnage material layers moving away from the article in a radial direction as the number of layers increases. Alternatively, the coil of dunnage material may extend helically along a longitudinal axis of an article to be cushioned, wherein the radial spacing of the winding layers relative to the longitudinal axis of the article remains constant in the radial direction, in particular. Further, the coil of dunnage material may in particular be a combination of a dunnage material spiral and a dunnage material helix having winding layers adjoining each other both in the radial direction and in the longitudinal direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the dunnage material strand is processed into a coil of dunnage material separate from the articles to be cushioned, such as a dunnage material spiral or a dunnage material helix or a combination of both variants, whereby the dunnage material spiral is particularly preferred.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the device comprises a winding device for winding the strand of dunnage material about a winding center. It should be understood that winding center does not necessarily refer to a structural core around which the strand of dunnage material is wound. Rather, the winding center may merely describe a geometric position, in particular a winding axis, around which the strand of dunnage material is wound. In particular, the winding center does not necessarily have to be stationary. Rather, the winding center can assume different positions during the winding process. Such wrapping devices without structural design of the wrapping center are known, for example, from agriculture in the form of round balers for wrapping a round bale of straw. Such round balers wrap straw into a round bale by means of rollers arranged circumferentially around a wrapping center without requiring a structurally designed wrapping center. A wrapping device operating according to this principle for processing a strand of dunnage material into a wrapping of dunnage material is known from DE 10 2017 113 532 A1, the disclosure content of which concerning the wrapping device without a structurally designed wrapping center is included in the disclosure content of the present description. It is conceivable to use a similar winding device for realizing the present disclosure. For example, an arrangement of belts and/or rollers at least partially surrounding the winding center could be used to wind the strand of dunnage material around the winding center.

However, in an exemplary embodiment, a winding device with at least two or exactly two deflectors, in particular prongs, may be used, between which the strand of dunnage material, in particular one strand end of the strand of dunnage material, is conveyed. In an exemplary embodiment, the winding center is located in the middle of a line connecting the two deflectors. In an exemplary embodiment, the deflectors are rigidly connected to each other, in particular in the form of a reel, and/or are immovably fixed with respect to each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the deflectors are rotated about the winding center, in particular about a winding axis, for winding the strand of dunnage material, the winding axis extending through the winding center. In an exemplary embodiment, the winding axis extends in the vertical direction.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the device comprises an adhesive tape dispensing device directed with the winding device such that the adhesive tape dispensed by the adhesive tape dispensing device is only then applied to an outer end layer of the strand of dunnage material when the outer end layer is wound around the winding center. By this is to be understood in particular that the adhesive tape dispensing device is directed in such a way that the adhesive tape can be applied directly to the outer end layer in the wound state. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape dispensing device is directed for this purpose in such a way that the adhesive tape can be applied to the outer end layer wound around the winding center. In particular, the adhesive tape is applied to the outer end layer regardless of the radial extension of the coil of dunnage material. This means in particular that the adhesive tape dispensing device is designed in such a way that the adhesive tape can be applied at different radial extensions of the coil of dunnage material, in particular automatically. In particular, the application can take place at different radial extensions without having to calibrate the adhesive tape dispensing device for the change from one radial extension to another radial extension. In an exemplary embodiment, the application of the adhesive tape to the outer end layer independent of the radial extension of the coil of dunnage material is achieved by using the adhesive tape pivoting mechanism described further below, particularly preferably the spring-damped adhesive tape pivoting mechanism.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the adhesive tape dispensing device can also be immovable relative to the winding device. In such an embodiment, for example, the adhesive tape delivery device could be directed in such a way that the adhesive tape is not actively conveyed towards the outer end layer, but its adhesive surface is directed with the winding device in such a way that it is carried along by the outer end layer when the latter reaches a predetermined diameter.

Adhesive tape is understood to mean a carrier material, in particular in strip form, coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive. In an exemplary embodiment, another material with adhesive properties can be used as an alternative to the pressure-sensitive adhesive.

The term “outer end layer” refers in particular to the last, especially outermost, section of the strand of dunnage material which completely wraps around the winding center once. Completely wrapping means, in particular, winding for 360° around the winding center. By application is meant in particular the pressing of a free end of the adhesive tape against the outer end layer and preferably the subsequent winding for a predetermined angle around the winding center. In particular, the pad strand end of the outer end layer is overlapped at least once by the adhesive tape. Under the condition that the outer end layer must be wound around the winding center before the adhesive tape is applied, it is to be understood in particular that the outer end layer must be wound around the winding layer preceding it. However, it should be made clear that this does not mean that the outer end layer must make complete contact with the preceding winding layer. Rather, as a rule, the strand end will still protrude to a certain extent from the preceding winding layer when the adhesive tape is applied to the outer end layer. In particular, it is only by wrapping the adhesive tape around the winding center that the strand end will finally be pressed against the preceding winding layer. It is also not essential that the majority of the outer end layer is already wrapped around the winding center. Rather, it may be sufficient in particular that only a section of a few degrees, in particular at least 5°, 10°, 30°, 45° or 90°, of the outer end layer is wound around the winding center, as long as the adhesive tape is applied to this already wound section. In an exemplary embodiment, however, a section of at least 180° of the outer end layer is already wound around the winding center when the adhesive tape is applied to the already wound section.

In particular, the adhesive tape is only then applied to an outer end layer of the strand of dunnage material when the outer end layer has been wound around the winding center and the strand of dunnage material has been cut to length, in particular separated. When the strand of dunnage material is cut to length, the strand of dunnage material is separated in particular into a section on the winding device side and a section on the dunnage machine side. The dunnage material strand section on the winding device side in particular forms the outer end layer. After the outer end layer has been cut to length, it is wound in particular around the winding center. In particular, the adhesive tape is then applied to the outer end layer. In particular, the adhesive tape head does not move to the outer end layer until the outer end layer has been cut to length from the dunnage material strand and/or wound around the winding center.

By attaching the adhesive tape to the outer end layer already wound around the winding center, it is possible in particular to avoid adhesive tape overrun and thus to adjust, in particular reduce, the adhesive tape requirement as a function of the winding diameter to be achieved. Furthermore, the measure according to the disclosure provides degrees of freedom in the design of the device. For example, by applying the adhesive tape to the already wound outer end layer, the adhesive tape can be applied to the outer end layer at a vertical orientation so that the strand of dunnage material can also be wound about a vertical winding axis. In this way, in particular, the winding device can be designed in such a way that the weight force is used to remove the processed strand of upholstery material, in particular the winding of upholstery material, in particular the processed strand of upholstery material can be removed from the device by the weight force alone. This can further reduce the number of drives required, since, for example, an ejector mechanism, as used in the prior art, can be dispensed with. A further advantage is that the application of the adhesive tape to the already wound outer end layer enables the adhesive tape to be applied while the winding process continues. In particular, this allows processing times to be reduced compared to known devices.

In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape dispensing device includes an adhesive tape head that is movably mounted relative to the winding device. The adhesive tape head is used in particular for applying the dispensed adhesive tape to the outer end layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape head is moved towards the outer end layer for applying the adhesive tape. In particular, a free end of the adhesive tape can be held by the adhesive tape head and applied to the outer end layer by guiding it to the outer end layer. The adhesive tape is then wound around the outer end layer, in particular via the winding device. In this process, further adhesive tape is obtained in particular from an adhesive tape supply, in particular unwound from an adhesive tape roll, and applied to the outer end layer in particular via the adhesive tape head. For this purpose, the adhesive tape supply can be designed, for example, as an adhesive tape roll which is mounted rotatably about its roll axis. The adhesive tape supply can be mounted either immovably or movably relative to the winding device. In particular, in an alternative embodiment, the adhesive tape supply can be decoupled from the movements of the adhesive tape head so that the adhesive tape head can be moved independently of the adhesive tape supply. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape supply may be attached to the adhesive tape head. In this way, in particular, the adhesive tape supply can be moved together with the adhesive tape head, so that the distance over which the adhesive tape must be guided between the adhesive tape supply and the outer end layer can be shortened and, in particular, kept constant. Alternatively, or additionally, the adhesive tape head may include a counter bearing, such as a deflection roller, for pressing the adhesive tape against the outer end layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the dispensed adhesive tape is fed to the outer end layer via the adhesive tape head and pressed against the outer end layer via the counter bearing. In this case, the counter bearing can be attached to the adhesive tape head so as to be rotatable, in particular about a vertical axis. In particular, the dispensed adhesive tape runs from the adhesive tape supply to the counter bearing and is applied to the outer end layer by the latter. In an exemplary embodiment, both the adhesive tape supply and the counter-bearing are attached to the adhesive tape head, wherein an adhesive tape roll may be provided as the adhesive tape supply and a deflection roll may be provided as the counter-bearing, wherein in particular the axes of rotation of the deflection roll and the adhesive tape roll run parallel to one another and/or are directed vertically. Alternatively, or additionally, the adhesive tape head is movably mounted, in particular spring-damped when applying adhesive tape to the outer end layer, in such a way that it follows a height profile of the circumferential course of the outer end layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape dispensing device includes an adhesive tape pivoting mechanism, in particular a rotatably mounted pivoting arm, for pivoting the adhesive tape head to the outer end layer. In particular, the adhesive tape pivoting mechanism includes a rotatably mounted pivoting arm, which in particular is rotatably mounted at one end and is attached to the adhesive tape head at the other end. In an exemplary embodiment, the pivot arm is rotatably mounted about the side of the pivot arm facing away from the adhesive tape head. In particular, the adhesive tape head is brought to the outer end layer, in particular pivoted, by rotating the pivot arm about the rotatably mounted end. The adhesive tape pivoting mechanism may also have further pivoting arms that are rotatably mounted relative to each other. For example, a second swivel arm can be hinged to the rotatably mounted end of the first swivel arm and likewise be mounted with its other end rotatable relative to the winding device. In this way, in particular, the amplitude of movement of the adhesive tape head can be increased and the swivel movements of the adhesive tape head can be adapted to the winding diameter of the outer end layer by superimposing several swivel movements.

In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape pivoting mechanism is spring-damped, in particular includes a gas pressure spring. In particular, this causes the adhesive tape head to wobble on the outer end layer, especially on a height profile in the radial direction along the circumferential course of the coil of dunnage material. The spring damping serves in particular to ensure that the adhesive tape swiveling mechanism adapts to the respective radial extension of the coil of dunnage material to be wound. The spring damping may be used to adapt to height profiles along the circumference of a coil of dunnage material and/or to different mean radial extensions of the outer end layer of different coil of dunnage materials. As a result, in particular when the adhesive tape is applied to the outer end layer, a contact pressure can be exerted on the adhesive tape, in particular via the counter bearing of the adhesive tape head. In particular, a single swivel arm of the adhesive tape swivel mechanism can be spring-damped or several swivel arms of the adhesive tape swivel mechanism can be spring-damped. The spring damping can in particular reduce the requirement for precision of the adhesive tape swiveling mechanism, since, if necessary, excessively high kinematic forces or excessively large movement amplitudes can be compensated for by the spring damping. In an exemplary embodiment, the swivel axis of the adhesive tape swivel mechanism is directed substantially in the vertical direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the swivel axis of the adhesive tape swivel mechanism, the swivel axis of the adhesive tape roll and/or the swivel axis of the counter bearing, in particular the deflection roller, are directed parallel to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape dispensing device includes a linear drive for guiding the adhesive tape head to the outer end layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the linear drive is coupled to the adhesive tape pivoting mechanism in such a way that a linear movement of the linear drive causes the adhesive tape head to pivot. In an exemplary embodiment, a linear drive is coupled for this purpose at a distance from the swivel axis of the adhesive tape swivel mechanism. In particular, several linear drives can be articulated to a swivel arm or distributed over several swivel arms, which in particular form the adhesive tape swivel mechanism. The use of linear drives to guide the adhesive tape head includes the advantage that, for example by using a gas spring, the drive and the spring damping can be implemented in particular in one component. Another advantage is that, compared to rotary drives, linear drives can also be realized at low cost and with low maintenance using pneumatic and hydraulic drives. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive axis of the linear actuator is directed essentially in the horizontal direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape dispensing device includes a linear drive for guiding the adhesive tape head to the outer end layer, the linear drive having a guide, in particular a guide rail, and a carriage mounted in a translatory manner relative to the guide. In particular, the carriage is connected to the adhesive tape head in such a way that the adhesive tape head follows a movement of the carriage, in particular a translatory movement. Alternatively, or additionally, the drive axis of the linear drive is directed essentially in the horizontal direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape head is mounted translationally relative to the carriage, in particular translationally in the same direction as the mounting of the carriage relative to the guide.

In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape head and the carriage are coupled to each other via a suspension, in particular a spring, such as a spiral spring, in such a way that a translational relative movement between the carriage and the adhesive tape head causes a biasing force between the carriage and the adhesive tape head and/or causes a contact pressure of the adhesive tape head on the outer end layer. In particular, this can ensure secure adhesion of the adhesive tape to the outer end layer. In particular, secure adhesion can thereby be ensured even if a flat round section of a substantially elliptical outer end layer is opposite the adhesive tape head. In particular, the adhesive tape head exerts such a large contact force on the outer end layer that a sufficient counterforce is achieved to adhere the adhesive tape.

In particular, the spring pretension between the carriage and the adhesive tape head is matched to the deformation resistance of the outer end layer in the wound state in such a way that the spring pretension acts as damping so that the adhesive tape head follows a height profile of the outer end layer when the adhesive tape is applied.

In particular, the contact pressure force can act in the direction of the winding device, especially in the direction of the winding center. In particular, the direction of action of the contact pressure can be directed towards the winding center, especially towards the center of a connecting line between two deflectors, such as winding tines.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a sensor, in particular an induction sensor, for detecting a relative movement, in particular a translational relative movement, between the adhesive tape head and the carriage. In particular, the sensor is coupled to a control of the linear drive in such a way that the control stops a movement of the linear drive when the sensor detects a predetermined relative movement between the adhesive tape head and the carriage.

In particular, the device comprises a control system programmed in such a way that the adhesive tape head is fed via the linear drive to the outer end layer cut to length from the strand of dunnage material and wound around the winding center. In particular, the adhesive tape head is advanced until contact is made between the adhesive tape head and the outer end layer. In particular, the tape is fed beyond the contact between the adhesive tape head and the outer end layer. In particular, the adhesive tape head is prevented from moving further by the outer end layer, while the carriage continues to move due to the translational bearing between the carriage and the adhesive tape head. This results in particular in the carriage compressing a spring of the suspension during further travel. In particular, further movement continues until the sensor, in particular an induction sensor, detects a predetermined relative movement between the tape head and the carriage, which is stored in the control system. In particular, the control system stops further movement of the adhesive tape head as soon as this predetermined relative movement is detected. The relative movement between the carriage and the adhesive tape head in particular causes the spring of the suspension to be tensioned. This results in particular in a contact pressure force acting from the adhesive tape head on the outer end layer. In particular, the contact pressure can be transmitted from the adhesive tape head to a counter bearing, such as a deflection roller for pressing the adhesive tape against the outer end layer.

One particular advantage of the linear drive described above is that production-related unevenness, in particular a not 100% circular outer end layer, can be compensated for by means of the built-up spring preload and/or contact pressure. In particular, a wobbling of the tape head along the height profile of the outer end layer can be ensured.

In particular, the linear drive is attached to a fixture housing of the device. In particular, the drive axis of the linear drive is directed parallel to the conveying direction of the strand of dunnage material between the strand access of the device, in particular the device housing, and the winding device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a separating device that is movably mounted relative to the winding device and includes a separating device, such as a blade, for separating the adhesive tape applied to the outer end layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the separating device is movably mounted in such a way that the adhesive tape can be separated directly at the wound outer end layer. During severing, the separator device moves in particular through the adhesive tape and preferably partially into the outer end layer. This means that the outer end layer in particular can be used as a counter surface for the severing process. Immediate separation at the outer end layer can in particular reduce or prevent adhesive tape tracking, which in particular still includes to be applied to the outer end layer. By severing the adhesive tape at the wound or wrapped outer end layer, it is to be understood that the severing takes place at a section of the outer end layer that is already wound around the winding center. By severing the adhesive tape at the wound outer end layer, it is not to be understood that the severing must occur at a section of adhesive tape that must be in contact with the outer end layer during the severing operation. Rather, in an exemplary embodiment, the severing device is configured such that the adhesive tape is tensioned during the severing operation. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape is tensioned during the severing operation in such a way that the adhesive tape section at which severing takes place is free of contact with the outside of the outer end layer during the severing operation. In this state, the adhesive tape section extends in particular linearly between the last end of the adhesive tape still in contact with the outer end layer and a spring element, such as the spring plate described further below. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape is affected by the pivotal movement of the severing device, as described further below. In an exemplary embodiment, the severing device is configured such that the tension exerted on the adhesive tape assumes its maximum value immediately before the adhesive tape is severed.

In an exemplary embodiment, the separating device includes a separating swivel mechanism for swiveling the separating device towards the outer end layer. In particular, the separator device is pivoted by the adhesive tape towards, or in particular partially into, the outer end layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the separating swivel mechanism is spring-damped, in particular with a gas pressure spring. In an exemplary embodiment, the swivel axis of the peel-off swivel mechanism is directed substantially in the vertical direction. In principle, the severing mechanism can be designed independently of the tape head. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the severing device may be coupled to the adhesive tape head, in particular to connect it firmly to the latter. In this way, in particular, the adhesive tape swivel mechanism can be used for simultaneously bringing the adhesive tape and the severing device to the outer end layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the peel-off pivoting mechanism is implemented by a pivotable mounting of the adhesive tape head. By pivotable mounting of the adhesive tape head it is to be understood in particular that the adhesive tape head is pivotably mounted relative to the pivot arm of the adhesive tape pivoting mechanism. In this context, in particular on the one hand the swivel arm of the adhesive tape swivel mechanism can be swivel-mounted in such a way that it can bring the adhesive tape head to the outer end layer by a rotary movement about its swivel axis and the adhesive tape head can subsequently be rotated with respect to the swivel arm as a result of the swivel-mounting with respect to the swivel arm. In an exemplary embodiment, the separator device is spaced from the swivel axis of the adhesive tape head in such a way that the rotary movement of the adhesive tape head causes the separator device to swivel towards the adhesive tape.

In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive tape swivel mechanism and the cut-off swivel mechanism are coupled to each other via a link chain. In an exemplary embodiment, the link chain is formed by two swivel joints formed on the swivel arm of the adhesive tape swivel mechanism. By swivel joint is meant, in particular, the structural design of the rotatable bearing. In an exemplary embodiment, the first swivel joint may be attached to the end of the swivel arm facing away from the adhesive tape head and is used to implement the adhesive tape swivel mechanism, via which the adhesive tape head can be swiveled to the outer end layer. This serves in particular to apply the adhesive tape to the outer end layer. Once the adhesive tape head has been pivoted to the outer end layer, the adhesive tape can be wound around the outer end layer in particular by driving the winding device, in particular by rotating the outer end layer. In an exemplary embodiment, the second swivel joint may be formed at the end of the swivel arm facing the adhesive tape head, and in particular rotatably connects the swivel arm and the adhesive tape head to one another. As a result, the adhesive tape head, in particular after application of the adhesive tape, can be rotated relative to the swivel arm in such a way that a separator device attached to the swivel arm cuts through the adhesive tape. For this purpose, in an exemplary embodiment, the separator device is arranged at a distance from the second pivot joint, so that the rotation of the adhesive tape head causes a pivoting movement of the severing device, in particular of a separator device attached to the adhesive tape head. The second swivel joint is thereby designed in particular to implement the peel-off swivel mechanism.

In an exemplary embodiment, the separating device includes a linear drive for guiding the separating device to the outer end layer, in particular through the adhesive tape to the outer end layer. In this case, in an exemplary embodiment, the linear drive is coupled to the separating swivel mechanism in such a way that a linear movement of the linear drive causes a swivel movement of the separating device. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive axis of the linear actuator is oriented substantially in the horizontal direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the linear drive of the severing swivel mechanism may be coupled to the adhesive tape head, in particular to couple it to the adhesive tape head at a distance from the rotatable bearing of the severing swivel mechanism. Since the adhesive tape head is located at the outer end layer, in particular for adhesive tape application, this means that only a small stroke movement is required to guide the separator device through the adhesive tape to the outer end layer, thereby severing the adhesive tape. In an exemplary embodiment, the separator device is fixed and immovable to the adhesive tape head and projects beyond the adhesive tape head, particularly in the horizontal direction, in such a way that the rotary movement of the adhesive tape head caused by the linear drive causes a pivoting movement and penetration of the separator device into the adhesive tape.

In an exemplary embodiment, the severing device includes a spring plate that is arranged relative to the separator device in such a way that it exerts a spring force on the adhesive tape when the tape is severed, in particular tensioning it.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a control system by means of which the adhesive tape dispensing device, the winding device and/or the severing device are controlled.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a device housing for preventing unintentional interference with the winding device and/or the adhesive tape dispensing device, which includes a strand access through which the strand of dunnage material can be transferred to the device. The device housing can in particular reduce the risk of injury to a person operating the device. For this purpose, in an exemplary embodiment, the device may be configured such that an operator cannot possibly reach into it during operation of the device. For this purpose, the device housing can, for example, be designed as a particularly complete enclosure of the winding device and the adhesive tape dispensing device, which, in particular, includes the strand access as the only possibility of intervention. In an exemplary embodiment, the device housing includes at least one closing mechanism, such as a roller shutter, with which access to the winding device can be prevented during processing of the strand of dunnage material and can be released after processing. For example, a closing mechanism may be provided that can close and release a dispensing opening for dispensing the processed strand of dunnage material, particularly the strand of coil of dunnage material. The discharge opening of the device may be arranged below the winding device, so that the processed strand of dunnage material, in particular the coil of dunnage material, can be removed from the device using the force of gravity, in particular can be deposited on a storage table for storage or can be delivered to a storage channel, a chute or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a position detection device which is designed to detect whether the strand of dunnage material is in engagement with the winding device, whether an unintentional engagement occurs during the processing of the strand of dunnage material into the winding device and/or into the adhesive tape dispensing device, and/or whether an independent detachment of the processed strand of dunnage material from the winding device occurs, in particular by gravity. For this purpose, in particular, a sensor for position detection at the strand access and a sensor for position detection at the winding device can be provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensors can be coupled to a controller that controls the winding device and the tape dispensing device. This allows, for example, processing to be initiated by the controller starting the winding operation when a signal is received from both sensors indicating that the strand of dunnage material includes entered the device via the strand access and is in engagement with the winding device. Further, a safety mechanism can be integrated via the sensors to shut down the device once the sensors detect engagement with the device. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensors are directed and/or the control system is designed in such a way that the application of the adhesive tape and the winding of the strand of dunnage material is not interpreted as an engagement with the device.

In particular, the device may include at least one strand diverter for diverting the strand of dunnage material between a strand access and the winding device. In particular, the strand diverter may be disposed between the strand access and the winding center. In particular, the strand diverter shifts the deflection of the strand of dunnage material from the outlet of the dunnage forming machine toward the winding device. In particular, this can prevent sharp-edged grinding on one side of the outlet opening. In particular, this can reduce the risk of tearing off the strand of dunnage material. This is particularly important in the case of large coil of dunnage materials, since here there is a greater deflection of the dunnage material strand.

In particular, the strand diverter can be rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation extending in particular in the direction of gravity. In particular, the axis of rotation of the strand deflector can extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the winding device. In particular, this enables the strand deflector to support an orientation, in particular an erection, of the strand of dunnage material in an orientation intended for the winding device.

In particular, the strand deflector can have a cross-sectional area that tapers, especially in the direction of gravity, and in particular be of conical design. In particular, the strand deflector can be designed as a deflection roller tapering along the axis of rotation, especially in the direction of gravity.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device comprises an adhesive tape monitoring device having a sensor, such as an inductive sensor or an optical sensor, for monitoring the application of the adhesive tape to the outer end layer. In particular, the sensor is adapted to detect a movement, especially a rotational movement, of an adhesive tape supply providing the adhesive tape. In particular, the rotational movement can be detected via an optical sensor directed at the adhesive tape supply, such as an adhesive tape roll. Alternatively, or additionally, the rotational movement can be detected via an inductive sensor. In particular, the inductive sensor can detect the rotary motion of a shaft that rotatably accommodates the adhesive tape supply.

Alternatively, or additionally, the device may comprise an adhesive tape monitoring device having an inductive sensor for monitoring the adhesive tape consumption. In particular, the inductive sensor may be designed to detect the rotation of an adhesive tape supply providing the adhesive tape. In particular, the detected rotation can be converted into adhesive tape consumption by a controller of the adhesive tape monitoring device. In particular, the controller may be configured to count the number of detected rotations of the adhesive tape supply. In particular, the control system can be designed to calculate the adhesive tape consumption using the number of detected revolutions. For this purpose, the number of revolutions after an adhesive tape roll has been used up can be stored in the control system, for example. In this example, the predetermined adhesive tape consumption could be specified as a number of revolutions, for example. Alternatively, the predetermined tape consumption could be specified as a tape length. For this purpose, the controller could be designed to convert the number of revolutions into a tape length.

In particular, the control system can be designed to trigger an alarm signal when a predetermined adhesive tape consumption is reached. The alarm signal may be, for example, an audible signal and/or a visual signal. In particular, the device may include an alarm light via which a visual alarm signal, such as a red glow, is emitted. In particular, the visual alarm signal may be visible to a person operating the device.

Alternatively, or additionally, the device may in particular comprise an adhesive tape monitoring device comprising an optical sensor for monitoring the adhesive tape consumption. The optical sensor may be designed to detect the diameter of an adhesive tape supply providing the adhesive tape. In particular, the optical sensor may be directed with the axis of rotation of an adhesive tape roll, wherein the sensor is directed in particular in the radial direction.

In particular, the detected diameter can be monitored by a control of the adhesive tape monitoring device, especially wherein the control is designed to trigger an alarm signal if the diameter falls below a predetermined minimum diameter. In particular, the control of the adhesive tape monitoring device is designed to measure the diameter of the adhesive tape roll via the distance between the outer end layer of the adhesive tape roll and the optical sensor.

In an exemplary embodiment, the axis of rotation of the winding device is directed essentially in the vertical direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the winding device is designed as a reel with two deflectors, such as tines, each having an end coupled to a rotary drive and a free end, the free end of the deflectors preferably projecting in the direction of gravity. In this way, in particular the gravitational force can be used to remove the processed strand of dunnage material, in particular the coil of dunnage material. In an exemplary embodiment, the winding device is driven by a rotary drive, in particular by a rotary motor.